From Airwaves to Icons: The Birth of Television in America

By keilanimiller
  • First Commercial Radio Broadcast (KDKA, Pittsburgh)

    First Commercial Radio Broadcast (KDKA, Pittsburgh)

    KDKA aired the first radio news broadcast covering the 1920 presidential election. This marked the beginning of mass broadcasting and set the foundation for media storytelling.
  • RCA Introduces Television at the World’s Fair

    RCA Introduces Television at the World’s Fair

    RCA publicly introduced television at the 1939 New York World’s Fair. President Franklin D. Roosevelt became the first U.S. president to appear on TV.
  • First FCC Standard for Commercial Television

    First FCC Standard for Commercial Television

    The FCC authorized commercial TV broadcasting, allowing stations like WNBT (now WNBC) to air advertisements and programming.
  • “Meet the Press” Debuts on Television

    “Meet the Press” Debuts on Television

    Originally a radio program, Meet the Press became one of the first major news shows to move to television, highlighting the medium’s growing influence.
  • Texaco Star Theater with Milton Berle

    Texaco Star Theater with Milton Berle

    This show made Berle "Mr. Television" and attracted millions, demonstrating the power of TV to dominate American entertainment.
  • "I Love Lucy" Premieres

    "I Love Lucy" Premieres

    I Love Lucy revolutionized television production with the multi-camera format and live audience, setting the standard for sitcoms.
  • Launch of Color Television

    Launch of Color Television

    RCA’s introduction of color broadcasting, starting with the Tournament of Roses Parade, transitioned the medium to a new visual era.